RBT Exam PrepThe short answer: A dual (multiple) relationship is any second relationship with a client, family member, or stakeholder beyond your professional role, like babysitting, social media friendships, or business deals. The RBT Ethics Code 2.0 says to avoid entering them, disclose any that exist to your supervisor, and follow your supervisor's direction. When in doubt, report it.
What counts as a dual relationship
Your professional role is one relationship. A second one forms whenever you interact with a client, their family, or another stakeholder in a different capacity: you babysit the client's sibling on weekends, you are social media friends with the parent, you hire a family member's business, or you start dating someone connected to the case.
It does not matter that your intentions are good. The code cares about the situation, because the situation creates risks you cannot think your way out of. A relationship does not have to cause harm to be a problem; the potential for compromised judgment is enough.
Why the code treats them so seriously
Three risks. First, objectivity: it is hard to collect honest data and follow a plan exactly when you are worried about upsetting a friend. Second, exploitation: the power imbalance between a professional and a family receiving services means even a fair deal can look and feel coercive. Third, confidentiality: personal relationships leak information in both directions. A comment at a barbecue can reveal protected details, and family knowledge can bias your session data.
Avoiding dual relationships protects the client, and it protects you. Most ethics complaints do not start with bad intent; they start with a blurred boundary that seemed harmless at the time.
What the ethics code actually requires
The RBT Ethics Code 2.0 addresses multiple relationships directly: do not enter into them, and when one exists or develops, disclose it to your supervisor promptly. Note the order. You do not get to manage it quietly on your own.
Your supervisor decides how to handle it, which might mean reassigning the case, setting written boundaries, or documenting the situation. Your job is to notice, report, and follow direction. Document the disclosure the way your organization requires, so there is a record of what happened and what was decided.
Gray areas, and how to handle them
- Small communities. In a small town you may already know families before services start. Disclose the prior relationship before the case begins and let the supervisor decide whether you are the right fit.
- Social media. Friend or follow requests from clients or families should be declined politely. Do not discuss clients online, ever, even without names.
- Gifts. The code has specific gift giving and receiving guidelines. The default is to decline and check with your supervisor rather than guessing at what is acceptable.
- After services end. The relationship does not automatically become fine the day discharge paperwork is signed. Ask your supervisor before entering any new relationship with former clients or families.
What to do when one sneaks up on you
- Pause the second relationship. Do not deepen it while you figure things out.
- Tell your supervisor promptly and factually. What happened, who is involved, and when it started.
- Follow their direction exactly. Reassignment, boundaries, or documentation, whatever they decide.
- Document it the way your organization requires.
- Keep the boundary going forward. One disclosure does not end the vigilance.
- Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification page, Behavior Analyst Certification Board, the official home of the RBT Ethics Code 2.0 and all RBT requirements
- Examination information, Behavior Analyst Certification Board, covers authorization, scheduling, and exam delivery
- BACB certification exams, Pearson VUE, covers test center scheduling and appointments
Last reviewed: October 7, 2026 against the BACB RBT 3rd edition task list.